Lois Poplack*

Lois and Gerry Poplack’s z”l family histories reach back to the Jewish communities of Latvia, Lithuania and the region then known as the Austro-Hungarian empire. From these distant parts of the world, their families brought to Portland the Jewish traditions of lighting the Sabbath candles and sharing Passover Seders and joyous Hanukkah celebrations.

“Like my parents in their time, I’ve always been involved in Jewish life in Portland. My father was the president of the board of directors at Cedar Sinai Park, and I attended the religious school at Congregation Beth Israel,” Lois shared with OJCF back in 2010. “We viewed Temple and Cedar Sinai as two especially important organizations and we were fortunate to be able to help contribute to their good work. Giving to our Jewish community was just part of our family life.”